A new trial into Hungary's worst ecological accident which claimed 10 lives and injured over 150 others began in Veszprém on Monday.
The notorious 2010 red mud spill took place in Ajka, western Hungary, when the reservoir burst its banks releasing 1.1 million cubic meters of poisonous sludge into the surrounding area.
According to Xinhua, although a court in Gyor is conducting the trial, the hearings are taking place in Veszprém, closer to where the accident happened.
Zoltán Bakonyi, the former CEO of the MAL alumina plant, expressed his condolences to the victims of the disaster. "If we could have done anything to prevent the tragedy, we would have done it," he said.
In addition to declaring himself not guilty in any way of the charges against him, Bakonyi said the earlier Veszprém tribunal had been "complete and detailed."
In January 2016, the court of Veszprém acquitted Bakonyi, along with 14 employees. However, in February this year, a court in Győr ordered a new trial of 15 employees of the MAL alumina plant. The verdict of the first-level trial has been annulled.